Top 20 NFL Draft Prospects: Colston Loveland

Collegiate Accolades

Loveland made an early impact as a true freshman, appearing in all 14 games in 2022 and catching touchdowns against Ohio State and in the Big Ten Championship. He finished the season with 16 catches for 235 yards.

His breakout came in 2023. Starting every game, Loveland caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four scores, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. He led the team in receiving yards in the national title game, helping Michigan complete a perfect 15–0 season with wins in the Big Ten, Rose Bowl, and National Championship.

In 2024, Loveland’s role expanded further under quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Despite missing the Ohio State game due to injury, he set Michigan’s single-season record for tight end receptions (56) while adding 582 yards and five touchdowns. He was named a Mackey Award finalist, Second-Team All-American (FWAA), and again earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors.

Loveland declared for the NFL Draft on December 13, 2024, finishing his college career ranked top-three in school history among tight ends in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

Scouting Report Summary

Loveland projects as a modern “move” tight end with the ability to stretch the field, win contested catches, and operate from multiple alignments. He’s a mismatch nightmare—too quick for linebackers, too big for safeties—and thrives in the middle of the field and down the seam.

With the NFL increasingly leaning on 12 personnel and hybrid looks, Loveland fits the mold of a tight end who can thrive as a slot receiver or detached weapon. He may never become a dominant inline blocker, but in the right offense, he can be a Day 1 contributor and eventually evolve into a Pro Bowl-caliber receiving tight end.

He compares favorably to a younger, more athletic version of Tyler Higbee—and at just 20 years old, his best football is still ahead of him. If paired with an established inline blocker, Loveland could be the missing piece in a creative, pass-first system.

Strengths

Mismatch creator: Moves like a wide receiver at 6’5”, 248 pounds—separates easily against linebackers and safeties with sharp, fluid routes.

Elite catch radius: Consistently extends outside his frame to make difficult grabs; uses 10-inch hands and body control to win in traffic.

Vertical threat: Stretches defenses down the seam with deceptive build-up speed; torched Washington for a 45-yard score in 2024.

Basketball traits: Background on the hardwood shows in his ability to box out defenders and high-point contested balls

Versatility: Aligned inline, in the slot, and out wide—productive from every spot, allowing offensive coordinators to scheme mismatches.

YAC potential: Physical runner after the catch; breaks arm tackles and shows lateral quickness to make defenders miss in space.

Football IQ: Quickly identifies soft spots in zone coverage; consistently gives quarterbacks clean targets over the middle.

Youth and upside: Only 20 years old with room to grow physically—already polished, but still has untapped ceiling as a route runner and playmaker.

Weaknesses

Inline blocking strength: Still developing as a blocker; lacks anchor and play strength to consistently win against power edge defenders.

Route sharpness: Occasionally rounds off breaks instead of snapping them off—can let defenders stay attached on timing routes.

Frame development: Needs to continue adding muscle to handle NFL-level physicality, especially when lined up on the line.

Focus drops: Has a few lapses when turning upfield before securing the catch—had three notable drops vs. Penn State in 2024.

Pass protection inexperience: Rarely asked to stay in and block; will require refinement in technique and recognition for three-down usage.

NFL Combine Results 

Pre-draft Measurables

At 6’5 ¾” and 248 pounds, Loveland brings ideal size with 32 ¾-inch arms and 10-inch hands. His frame gives quarterbacks a huge target, especially over the middle. In drills, he moved with the fluidity of a wideout, confirming what his tape showed. Loveland isn’t just big—he’s smooth, coordinated, and built to expose mismatches at every level of the field.

Final Thoughts

Colston Loveland checks nearly every box for today’s prototypical pass-catching tight end. He’s a polished, battle-tested receiver with elite traits and room to grow. While his blocking will need continued development, his value as a mismatch weapon in the passing game makes him a likely late first- or early second-round selection.

For a team with an established in-line tight end or creative offensive coordinator, Loveland could quickly become a quarterback’s favorite target and a cornerstone piece of a dynamic passing attack.

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